14 DAY TRIAL // While AT&T and T-Mobile customers are starting to activate their new Nexus 7 LTE devices, Verizon ones aren't so lucky. It appears that the carrier won't or can't offer the 4G LTE functionalities.
Paradoxically enough, Google had the Verzion logo up there with the other two carriers when it unraveled the device.
Affected users have a choice, they could try and use a SIM card that has already been activated with another device, with their new Nexus 7.
AndroidCommunity tried to find a logical explanation for what's going on here. They claim that the Nexus 7 wouldn't be able to work on Verizon's CDMA network.
Even if the company allegedly has the “widest LTE coverage in the US” you wouldn't be able to use the Nexus 7 in an area without LTE service, because it doesn't have a CDMA radio.
The AT&T or T-Mobile versions have the upper hand here, as they would just switch to GSM and allow you to use the slate.
Tech blogger Jeff Jarvis tried frantically to get a response out of Verizon related to the issue, by contacting them on Twitter and actually going in person to retail locations.
After a long wait, Verizon Support replied online with “I'm excited you got your Nexus 7 but not all LTE tablets are created equal. It's not part of our line up & can't be activated ^JH." Android Central also provided a statement on behalf of the company which sadly doesn't bring much clarification. “This is not yet a device that is Verizon 4G LTE certified. We'll let you folks know when it's certified.”
While this might mean that getting a 4G LTE certification for the new Nexus 7 might be a possibility for Verizon, it doesn't necessarily guarantee it will happen any time soon.